The Ultimate Gadget Guide For Your Next Vacation

Traveling can cause enough headaches without worrying your own gear will let you down, whether that's a piece of luggage that's too hard to carry or a pair of headphones that don't cancel nearly as much noise as you'd hoped. Carry this stuff to make your next vacation a little easier, safer, and more fun.

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Backpack

There is no more important piece of travel gear than your luggage. If your vacation involves a lot of trekking on foot or hopping from trains or cabs, then that goes for your trusty backpack as well. If you're looking to keep your possessions as safe as possible, you can opt for an anti-theft backpack like Pacsafe's Venturesafe 25L. It comes recommended by The Savvy Backpacker and, while ordinary in appearance, packs a range of features designed to deter thieves, including slash-proof wire in the bag's straps and lining and secure clips to lock all the zippers on the bag (or to lock the bag itself to a fixed object).

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Suitcase

You may not need a "smart" suitcase, but there is something to be said for always having a power source next to you at the airport. Away Travel's Carry-On suitcase is available in your choice of two sizes, both of which come with a built-in battery to keep your devices charged. You'll also get other features like a TSA-approved lock, high-quality Hinomoto wheels, and a scratch-resistant hard shell.

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Travel Organization

Your suitcase provides some basic organization, but if you're really looking to keep things neat and tidy while you travel, then you'll want a set of packing bags like Eagle Creek's Pack-It Cubes, which were a top pick of The Wirecutter. Available individually or in a set of three, the cubes help keep your belongings as organized and compact as possible. They're all fully unzippable, so you can easily see what's in them when you're unpacking.

For extra organization, you can add something like Cocoon Innovation's adaptable Grid-It system ($13) to prevent your portable devices, cables, and other small items from getting tangled and tossed around in your luggage.

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Tablet

Some travelers still travel with a laptop, but today's tablets are lighter, thinner, and powerful enough to handle most if not all of your computing needs on the go. We recommend Apple's 12.9-inch iPad Pro. It's large size means the screen is about as big as a standard piece of paper, so your documents or digital magazines don't have to become a pinch and zoom nightmare. The latest version of iOS is also great at multitasking, and the iPad's profile is thankfully skinny so it won't be taking up a huge amount of space in your carry-on.

If you'd rather stay out of the Apple ecosystem, you can also give Samsung's Galaxy TabPro 2 a try ($700). This is a Windows alternative at a similar size and price with absolutely excellent battery life.

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Tablet Keyboard

If you're doing any amount of typing on a tablet, then you'll want to make one key addition: a keyboard.The iPad Pro paired with Apple's own Smart Keyboard ($143) is a particularly capable combination, and Belkin's versatile Qode Ultimate Pro ($100) is another popular choice for theiPad Air orAir 2. However, Logitech might have the best answer with its Create keyboard. At only $110, the Create is backlit and clicky (where Apple's keyboard is considerably more squishy).

If you want something a little more ecosystem-agnostic,Microsoft's Universal Mobile Keyboard ($70) will work with any OS—though that flexibility comes at the cost that it won't double as a case.

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E-reader

If you're looking to get a lot of reading done, however, a tablet is still no substitute for a dedicated e-reader. Among Amazon's various Kindles, the Paperwhite strikes a good balance of price and features. It's compact and has a high-resolution screen that's easy to read in direct sunlight. An e-reader comes with the added convenience of battery that's measured in days, not hours.

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Camera

Choosing a camera is never a simple decision, but if you're looking to keep things simple and compact Canon's PowerShot line is generally a solid choice. The company's recently released PowerShot G9 X Mark II is a higher-end option with a large 1-inch, 20-megapixel image sensor and 3x zoom lens. It's still small enough to fit in a pocket and is available in an eye-catching silver and brown design as well as a more standard all black option.

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Headphones

Bose's audio gear inspires heated debates among audiophiles, but the one area where you won't find many arguments is the company's noise-canceling headphones. The QuietComfort 35s are the latest iteration of Bose's well-reviewed over-the-ear headphones. However, you can save a bit of money with the older QC25s if you don't need wireless capabilities (they're also a bit lighter).

If you prefer in-ear headphones, Bose's QuietComfort 20s ($250) are equally well-regarded as are the QuietControl 30 ($300) if need a wireless option. None are cheap, but if you want some peace and quiet on a transatlantic flight, you'll likely find they're worth every penny.

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Travel Speaker

Headphones are fine for the plane or relaxing during some down time, but if you want to share music on the beach or in a bustling city square, a portable Bluetooth speaker is indispensable. The UE Roll 2 is widelywell-reviewed and small enough to easily toss in a bag or backpack. It's also completely waterproof and comes with an inflatable donut to let you use it in the pool.

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Portable Battery

You can never have too many sources of power if you're traveling with a lot of devices, so a separate battery pack is a good idea. If you expect you'll be doing a lot of recharging away from power outlets, you'll likely want to pack a high-capacity battery like the Anker PowerCore 20100. Otherwise, you can trade a bit of power for portability and opt for a smaller charger like the Jackery Bolt ($26).